What should I upgrade to after the FAS?

I had a 1.4 FDL first, then a FAS, which was a lot better at making money and for kill missions, where you got a lot of interdictions. I then tried a Python and an Anaconda, but I didn't like them at all. They're just too slow and cumbersome. Now I'm back with a FDL - the 1.5 version, which for me is now the king of RES farming. The big gunships are OK for tanking against other big gunships, but the last thing you want is a Viper or two nipping at your backside while you're doing it.
 
I didnt like the lack of shields in the FAS, occasionally I would get nipped for a shield drop by a plasma or a wing in HAZ RES or High RES and lose 4-10% hull or more and that adds up when you just want to be dropping bounties.

I now have an A Rated FDL (save for a hull upgrade) 4x Pulse and a 4A/F plasma and would highly recommend it. It does two things exceptionally well, it deals with large ships (by killing powerplants) and tails them really well, especially when using thrusters. If smaller ships try to "boom and zoom" you it packs bit more punch to take down the little ships in one pass. Using BiWeaves on it is godly.

I would suggest giving the FDL a good look. I bought mine in 109 Piscium for a significant discount, make sure you try to get A graded FSD, Power, Thrusters in that order.

Here is a strong build for Haz RES: http://coriolis.io/outfit/fer_de_la...86e24.AwRj4zNEg===.AwjMIypAmHVEA===?bn=Freddy

Good luck CMDR.
 
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In the same boat - I'm thinking of going Fed Gunship. Huge DPS levels due to all the weapons, flies like a brick. Has a fighter launch bay - so that might be fun later in the year.

Just working up to Ensign from Warrant Officer right now so I can give it a go.

FGS is not actually better than FAS. It has more armor but also a fair bit less manuverable and the firepower is not really better (don't forget FAS has 2 large hardpoints, FGS only has 1; 2 mediums 2 smalls for the price of 1 large slot is not worth it because large slots are better for fighting large ships).

So FGS is more of a side grade than anything.

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Hmm... I was under the impression that the Clipper is more nimble... <shrugs>

It LOOKS more nimble but it is not actually :p

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I didnt like the lack of shields in the FAS, occasionally I would get nipped for a shield drop by a plasma or a wing in HAZ RES or High RES and lose 4-10% hull or more and that adds up when you just want to be dropping bounties.

If you totally stacked out your armor and HRP on an FAS it is actually a hell of a lot more survivable in pve than a shield-centric ship. I was tanking 2 Condas with it (and using bi-weave shield) and still comes out with more than 40% hull. It doesn't cost much to repair that hull.

Lesser ships even in wings will barely even nick the hull.
 
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Well than what loadouts do you recommend for the FAS? I'm using it and I'm not happy with it after upgrading from vulture

I started a Thread testing weapons on the FAS. So far I like the 3C/G beams top and bottom and 2F/G Multi-Cannons. I'd go fixed weapons if I could fly it better. Takes some getting used to after flying the Vulture.
 
My FAS now runs two fixed medium bursts and two gimballed large frag cannons. The damage is amazing. The changes to frag cannons make them superb.
 
I didnt like the lack of shields in the FAS, occasionally I would get nipped for a shield drop by a plasma or a wing in HAZ RES or High RES and lose 4-10% hull or more and that adds up when you just want to be dropping bounties.

I now have an A Rated FDL (save for a hull upgrade) 4x Pulse and a 4A/F plasma and would highly recommend it. It does two things exceptionally well, it deals with large ships (by killing powerplants) and tails them really well, especially when using thrusters. If smaller ships try to "boom and zoom" you it packs bit more punch to take down the little ships in one pass. Using BiWeaves on it is godly.

I would suggest giving the FDL a good look. I bought mine in 109 Piscium for a significant discount, make sure you try to get A graded FSD, Power, Thrusters in that order.

Here is a strong build for Haz RES: http://coriolis.io/outfit/fer_de_la...86e24.AwRj4zNEg===.AwjMIypAmHVEA===?bn=Freddy

Good luck CMDR.

I have a similar setup for my FDL, with the exception of 4x Burst Lasers and using Military grade armor and Hull Upgrades in exchange of the SCBs. With BiWeave C5s and 1 pip into shields I can last in Haz Res for as long as I want, averaging 1+ mil per 20-30 mins and almost never losing my shields (it still happens but by then Im finishing up with whatever enemies and I can then let them recharge with minimal damage caused to my hull). It is just amazing with the 1.5 buff. The only power management I need is to turn off the cargo hatch. Considering I used an A-rated Vulture before this - with its power management woes and needing to compromise so much with the equipment setup - the FDL was totally worth the 100+ mil that it cost (~40 mil into the Military armor). I bought everything except the armor in 109 Piscium, so it is a considerable discount. I would totally recommend it if you have the money. If not then I would say stick with the FAS over the FGS for maneuverability and save up for the Corvette. That's what I am working on now. I think for an A-rated 'Vette, itll cost close to 1 billion with no discount, so get saving!
 
The FdL even after the buff is no upgrade - the C4 is too badly positioned to put a C3 beam and the plasma is useless against most 'stabbed rat' AI wriggling and weaving, especially on the smaller ships that seem to make up the majority of targets in post 2.0 Reses. Also FdL's remaining medium hard points suffer a damage penalty against larger hulls, and the FdL cannot ram the way a FAS can (or indeed absorb a ram, like the dumb ram-scan NPCs seem so fond of when you're recovering your breath).

Given that ED is a dogfighting game, and that at the moment AI cannot start shooting until they get to face you, the Clipper, FAS and Vulture rule supreme in PvE. I personally prefer Clipper but only with A7 shields as it can fit loads of SCBs.
 


I started a Thread testing weapons on the FAS. So far I like the 3C/G beams top and bottom and 2F/G Multi-Cannons. I'd go fixed weapons if I could fly it better. Takes some getting used to after flying the Vulture.
I tried 2 c3 beams it was the worse thing ever, the ship heats up so fast and I start taking heat damage before even taking down an enemy cobras shields

I didnt like the lack of shields in the FAS, occasionally I would get nipped for a shield drop by a plasma or a wing in HAZ RES or High RES and lose 4-10% hull or more and that adds up when you just want to be dropping bounties.

I now have an A Rated FDL (save for a hull upgrade) 4x Pulse and a 4A/F plasma and would highly recommend it. It does two things exceptionally well, it deals with large ships (by killing powerplants) and tails them really well, especially when using thrusters. If smaller ships try to "boom and zoom" you it packs bit more punch to take down the little ships in one pass. Using BiWeaves on it is godly.

I would suggest giving the FDL a good look. I bought mine in 109 Piscium for a significant discount, make sure you try to get A graded FSD, Power, Thrusters in that order.

Here is a strong build for Haz RES: http://coriolis.io/outfit/fer_de_la...86e24.AwRj4zNEg===.AwjMIypAmHVEA===?bn=Freddy

Good luck CMDR.
Thanks for the tips, how often do you go back to the station to refill the power accelerator? And does it heat up fast or not with the new update?

The FdL even after the buff is no upgrade - the C4 is too badly positioned to put a C3 beam and the plasma is useless against most 'stabbed rat' AI wriggling and weaving, especially on the smaller ships that seem to make up the majority of targets in post 2.0 Reses. Also FdL's remaining medium hard points suffer a damage penalty against larger hulls, and the FdL cannot ram the way a FAS can (or indeed absorb a ram, like the dumb ram-scan NPCs seem so fond of when you're recovering your breath).

Given that ED is a dogfighting game, and that at the moment AI cannot start shooting until they get to face you, the Clipper, FAS and Vulture rule supreme in PvE. I personally prefer Clipper but only with A7 shields as it can fit loads of SCBs.
I thought the clipper maneuvers really bad?
 
Just going to throw my 2 cents in with the "there is no upgrade from the FAS" crowd. The only other ships that can outlast are the Anaconda and Corvette at a huge price difference. If solo RES hunting is your game, you're already flying the best. I would say save your credits for an Anaconda if you want to give big ships a shot.

I made a video talking about just that while drunk on Christmas :D

[video=youtube;lunUXlWwJWo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lunUXlWwJWo[/video]
 
The FDL isn't really an upgrade, I've been considering a FAS to complement my FDL but I need a bit more cash. The two are as effective as one another but need to be piloted slightly differently. The FAS tanks with a huge hull while the FDL tanks with shields. You also need to be a good shot with the PA to make the FDL shine as the assassin it is meant to be. If you want a straight up more pwerful ship, the next ship to get would be the Corvette I reckon.
 
FGS is kinda brikky for me, still getting a good feel. Power turns w/strafing are a natural in this beast in a roid belt, my fav boat is a Viper IV loaded with Hull Reinforcements so all fits.

Try this kit if you have a few sheckles...

http://coriolis.io/outfit/federal_g...t0q0q0304040j2dB12d2724.AwRhrSuriA==.Aw18aQ==

E3 Burst Large, 3x Multis, 1 M Beam Turreted, 2 Small Beam Turreted. I need a few mil for internal structure yet. 3 pips to weps usually and no heat issues even with the three beams constant on. Vipers eagles and adders poof np.

People discount the 2 small beams on tops, but consider the kit above, its a always on "medium" (2 small on top), always on medium on bottom with large burst and multi on bottom, midline are two multis :)

Pull the trigger for extra, or not...

Somez fun, your mileage may vary. I am not so good at this yet and just stick to BH.

Have fun!

I am actually flying this kit and its not so bad atm. Pythons go pretty quick, just sorted it so will update after stress testing a few sorties.

-Stel

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I modded my kit to follow Jypsons lead on the FAS setup with PA but on a FGS.

This is more fun than the multi-cannon kit I specc'd above. Gee aiming is trikky but thanks on the vid Jypson :)

http://coriolis.io/outfit/federal_g...0j2dB12d2724.AwRhrSrCuI==.Aw18aQ==?bn=LiveFG2
 
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Come on guys please help me, which do I buy?

FAS. You already have it. Look at weapon options - many have been provided as example.

Via various testing I have found that all gimballed pulse lasers on bottom hardpoints (two medium, one large) and a single large (class 3) plasma up top, is about the fastest, yet sustained killer there is. In fact I will probably switch to fixed soon, to increase the damage output.

I save the plasma for python, anaconda and other large ships; 3 pulse will utterly destroy most medium and small ships, and wreak modules on larger. The plasma is brutal on large ship hull/ modules and is great for burst damage to clobber Elite Anacondas, in particular. The hull on the FAS is to die for. It's crazy good. The medium hardpoints have actually been moved forward, post 1.5.x (and 2.0.x) so they clear the front fins, increasing the overall damage.

FDL is a pretty killer, but my best income has consistently come from FAS. Nothing comes close. Toss a Bi-Weave shield into the mix, and even if your shield drops, it regens quickly and the epic hull of FAS will soak damage until it comes back up. Anaconda can spend more time in the field, but is a different beast with a different approach and is expensive to kit out for pure combat.

Use the FAS, JoeSmR, it is your destiny. :D
 
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Python is the best ship to have in the game in terms of flexibility.

It's great for everything in the game, and the best ship for doing missions (charity/ascension missions included).
 
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